Russia accuses YPG dominated SDF of giving ISIL amnesty

WASHINGTON - Anadolu Agency

Nearly 400 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants were pardoned by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria in early January, Russia’s ambassador said to the United Nations claimed on Feb. 8, state-run Anadolu agency reported.

“All those who delivered direct or indirect assistance to the ISIL, not to mention the fighters themselves, must be held to account,” Vassily Nebenzia said in his speech at the U.N. Security Council meeting. 

Vassily Nebenzia said 120 of those who were granted amnesty, including field commanders and “caliphate officials,” entered the ranks of the SDF, which is dominated by the Kurdish militia People’s Protection Units (YPG)

“The fact that such an issue remains virtually unnoticed serves as a testament to a persistent double standard with respect to terrorists,” he added.

Nebenzia also slammed the U.S. for attacks on forces allied to the Bashar al-Assad regime on Feb. 7. The Pentagon said the U.S. was supporting SDF forces following “an unprovoked attack by Syrian pro-regime forces.”

Russia’s ambassador accused the U.S. of an “intensification” of efforts to “defame” Russia’s efforts to achieve a political settlement.

“As soon as we have some progress on the political front, we see this intensification all the time,” he said.